Chaintech VNF4/Ultra with PCI Video (NOT PCI-Express)

dfedders

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Dec 18, 2004
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Has anyone had any luck with this motherboard and a regular old PCI graphics card? I don't have my PCI-Express graphics card yet, and I want to test out this system to make sure it works.

I have an AMD64 3200+ (Retail), 1GB Mushkin DDR400 RAM.

I cannot get anything to display on the screen, and I've tried 3 different PCI graphics cards. I've tried it with the floppy, hard drive, and DVD drive connected, and all disconnected. The system powers up, and the CPU fan spins, but I never see anything on the screen.

Any ideas?
 

Ackbar

Senior member
Dec 18, 2004
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I'm trying the same thing right now. It's not working!!! I've tried two different PCI graphics cards. Nothing works... I've got a Chaintech VNF4 with 3200+.

Edit: Using Trident 1 MB (10 year old) video card.
 

dfedders

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Dec 18, 2004
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I've tried all 3 PCI slots, and 3 different PCI graphics cards.

Also tried resetting the CMOS, and I pulled all of the memory out, and I can't get it to beep to help me find the error.
 

Ackbar

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Dec 18, 2004
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Originally posted by: dfedders
I've tried all 3 PCI slots, and 3 different PCI graphics cards.

Also tried resetting the CMOS, and I pulled all of the memory out, and I can't get it to beep to help me find the error.

On mine, I get a single beep at the beginning, regardless of whether or not the video card is in the computer. dfedders, maybe we should "compare notes".
 

dfedders

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Dec 18, 2004
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I can't get it to beep at all. It should at least beep if there is no memory installed, right? I even unplugged everything (hard drive, DVD drive, mouse, and keyboard) and just left the CPU and memory installed with the video card. No luck.

The CPU fan kicks on, and that plugs into the motherboard.

Do you have the little speaker connector connected to the motherboard for the speaker on the case, or does it have its own speaker for the beep?

I'm going to try and take it out of the case and see if it is some sort of grounding problem or something.
 

Ackbar

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Dec 18, 2004
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Originally posted by: dfedders
I can't get it to beep at all. It should at least beep if there is no memory installed, right? I even unplugged everything (hard drive, DVD drive, mouse, and keyboard) and just left the CPU and memory installed with the video card. No luck.

The CPU fan kicks on, and that plugs into the motherboard.

Do you have the little speaker connector connected to the motherboard for the speaker on the case, or does it have its own speaker for the beep?

I'm going to try and take it out of the case and see if it is some sort of grounding problem or something.

Well, if the fans on the stuff connected to the mobo are powered (ie. CPU fan if it's connected through the mobo) then it's probably not grounded. I unplugged my speaker and I still get a single beep in the beginning.
 

Ackbar

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Dec 18, 2004
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Originally posted by: FastEddie
Do both of you have the square 4-pin 12v AUX power connector plugged into the board?

Yup, but I tried unplugging it, didn't do a damn thing.
 

Ackbar

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Dec 18, 2004
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What video cards do you have? I think it's something more than the video card for you since you're not getting even one beep.
 

dfedders

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Dec 18, 2004
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Originally posted by: Ackbar
What video cards do you have? I think it's something more than the video card for you since you're not getting even one beep.

I've tried an old Matrox card, a Trident card, and a newer Elsa Gloria Synergy-8. I have also tried it with no video card plugged in, and I still do not get a beep.

 

Ackbar

Senior member
Dec 18, 2004
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That's strange... You have the same join date as I do, and the same problem... and the same mobo and CPU... different PSU fortunately!
 

Rock Hydra

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Dec 13, 2004
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Make sure the card is seated firmly. Go into BIOS and check the video settings. I know older computers with PCI video cards would boot just fine without detecting the video card, don't know if that applies now. Also, make sure your CPU is seated tight. Sometiems when I don't seat my CPU right, it won't power on correctly.
 

Ackbar

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Dec 18, 2004
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Originally posted by: RockHydra11
Make sure the card is seated firmly. Go into BIOS and check the video settings. I know older computers with PCI video cards would boot just fine without detecting the video card, don't know if that applies now. Also, make sure your CPU is seated tight. Sometiems when I don't seat my CPU right, it won't power on correctly.

That's the problem... I don't get ANY video.
 

Ackbar

Senior member
Dec 18, 2004
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Originally posted by: dfedders
I've tried an old Matrox card, a Trident card, and a newer Elsa Gloria Synergy-8. I have also tried it with no video card plugged in, and I still do not get a beep.

Actually... the beep I got was from a peripheral controller that wasn't connected to anything. So... it turns out that I don't get any beeps either! Someone please advise!
 

dfedders

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Dec 18, 2004
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Originally posted by: Ackbar
Originally posted by: dfedders
I've tried an old Matrox card, a Trident card, and a newer Elsa Gloria Synergy-8. I have also tried it with no video card plugged in, and I still do not get a beep.

Actually... the beep I got was from a peripheral controller that wasn't connected to anything. So... it turns out that I don't get any beeps either! Someone please advise!


Well, I guess thats a better sign for me, then. :) I'll have to see if I can find a cheap-ass pci-express card somewhere. ARRGG...


 

Ackbar

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Dec 18, 2004
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Please let me know what you find out. I'm going to try to get a PCI-E video card tomorrow as well.
 

dfedders

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Dec 18, 2004
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Originally posted by: Ackbar
Please let me know what you find out. I'm going to try to get a PCI-E video card tomorrow as well.

Ok, I was able to find a pci-express card to temporarily use at work. If I have a PCI-Express card in the board, I get video. I also put the regular PCI card in there, and I can view video on it, but ONLY if a PCI-Express card is installed also.

I have tried updating the bios to the latest beta version, and the same problem exists. If I only have the PCI graphics card in there, I get no video. If I have a PCI-Express card in there, then I can get video via the PCI card.

AARRRGGG! I've looked through the bios, and I can't find anything to change. Init Display First is set to PCI, not PCI-Express.

Gotta love it.

:disgust: